Push-pull container and cap assembly

ABSTRACT

A material dispensing container provided with an elongated neck having a dispensing orifice in the side thereof and engaging means on the upper and lower portions thereof. The cap of the container has a plunger which extends into the neck of the container and an outer portion which fits over the container neck. The lower extremity of the outer portion of the cap is provided with an inwardly extending peripheral engaging lip which cooperates with the upper and lower engaging means of the neck of the container in open and closed positions, respectively. The upper portion of the neck and the interior surface of the cap are provided with male and female parts which cooperate with each other to guide the cap, in movement between closed and open positions in a twistingly axial path, thereby facilitating release of the cap lip from the lower engaging means.

[ 51 Sept. 12, 1972 United States Patent Sarris PUSH-PULL CONTAINER AND CAP ASSEMBLY Primary Examiner-Samuel E. Coleman Assistant Examiner-Francis J. Bartuska Samuel E. Sarris, 162-01 Road Jamaica NY. 11432 Attorney-Mam & Jangarathis June 26, 1970 [72] Inventor:

[57] ABSTRACT A material dispensing container provided with an [22] Filed:

elongated neck having a dispensing orifice in the side thereof and engaging means on the upper and lower portions thereof. The cap of the container has a plunger which extends into the neck of the container and an outer portion which fits over the container neck. The lower extremity of the outer portion of the cap is provided with an inwardly extending peripheral engaging lip which cooperates with the upper and lower engaging means of the neck of the container in open and closed positions, respectively. The upper portion of the neck and the interior surface of the cap are provided with male and female parts which cooperate with each other to guide the cap, in move- 90 99 1M92 91A 5545. M5 2 2 an d 2 2 6 22 a 5 u 9 U 9 2 m 4 5 S /-5 2 u 2 m u H M92 W. m m A N an an P m mm C S m Tm m E W 2 T ue I n A an s e 2 r T 2 m M a a 006 m I R E .n H NH 0 m N 08 N U .l w a am A UIIF 006 m .t iuw .m 4.2, [fl-ll .ll 33 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS ment between closed and open positions in a twistingly axial path, thereby facilitating release of the 365,660 12/1962 Switzerland ...............222l5l9 831,875 4/1960 Great Britain.............222/52l cap mm the engagmg means 546,090 7/1956 Italy...........................222/52l 22 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED st? 12 m2 SHEET 2 BF 3 INVENTOR Samuel E. Sorris mam &

ATTORNEYS PUSH-PULL CONTAINER AND CAP ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many push-pull type of containers and caps therefor have been proposed to eliminate the need for complete removal of the cap in order to dispense material from the container. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,266,680, a push-pull material dispensing container and cap therefor was proposed which eliminated the unsightly appearance of accumulated material about the dispensing orifice and provided a means to reduce bacterial growth on such accumulated material by minimizing contact by air with such accumulation. Such design, however, did not prevent build-up of material above the dispensing orifice during continuous consumer operation and did not provide a more positive means of complete closure in a facile way. Additionally, tolerance discrepancies during manufacture of the cap and container sometimes resulted in a defective seal between the cap plunger and the inner surface of the neck of the container.

In copending US. application Ser. No. 855,583, filed on Sept. 5, 1969, now US. Pat. No. 3,606,107 which is hereby incorporated by reference, there is disclosed a push-pull cap and neck assembly for dispensing material from a container which eliminates the foregoing problems. The cap and neck assembly disclosed in the aforementioned application includes a cap with an inwardly extending lip which is releasably engaged in the closed position, by an engaging means on the neck, the engaging means on the neck generally being in the form of a bead and/or recess. In using the cap and neck assembly with flexible dispensing containers, on occasions, difficulty is experienced in releasing the cap from the engaging means on the neck, whereby the person using the container more firmly grips the flexible container while simultaneously exerting a pulling force on the cap to release the cap from the engaging means. As a result of this action, pressure is built up within the container, and upon moving the cap into the open position, unwanted material is dispensed from the container.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved push-pull cap and neck assembly for dispensing material from a container.

Another object of this invention is to provide a push pull type of cap and neck assembly which provides for facile opening of the cap.

These and other objects of the invention should be more readily apparent from reading the following detailed description thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like parts and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional elevational view of an embodiment of the invention with the cap in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1 with the cap in an open position;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 with a portion of the cap cut-away;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the cap of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 showing interior portions in phantom;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the invention with a portion of the cap cut-away; and

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the cap of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6.

The objects of the invention are broadly accomplished, in one aspect, by providing a cap and neck assembly for dispensing material from a container wherein the neck is elongated and hollow and includes a dispensing orifice, and the cap includes an outer wall which covers the neck and a plunger which fits into the neck in sliding sealing cooperation therewith, whereby movement of the cap plunger opens and closes the dispensing orifice. The lower portion of the outer wall of the cap has an inwardly extending lip which releasably engages an engaging means on the upper portion of the neck in the open position, and releasably engages an engaging means on the lower portion of the neck in the closed position. The inner surface of the outer wall of the cap and the top portion of the neck are provided with guide means which cooperate with each other to direct the cap in a predetermined path from the closed position to the open position and visa versa, thereby facilitating the release of the cap lip from the engaging means. The guide means on the cap and neck are preferably male and female parts which slidingly cooperate with each other to guide the cap between the fully closed and the fully opened position in a spiral type of movement.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS With reference to FIGS. 1 5, there is provided a container 10, preferably formed of a collapsible or flexible metal or plastic comprised of a body 12 in which a material is adapted to be held in the chamber thereof until such time as the same is required to be dispensed. The body 12 at a narrowed skirt portion 14, is provided with a hollow neck, generally indicated by 16. The neck 16 may be made integral with the body 12 when the container 10 is molded or otherwise formed or it may be attached thereto at a later time. The manner in which the neck 16 is connected to the body 12 is immaterial. The neck 16 is comprised of a base 17, an intermediate elongated substantially cylindrical central portion 18 having a narrower cross-section than the base 17 and a top portion 19 having a cross-section substantially equal to the cross-section of the base 17. The hollow interior 21 of the neck 16 is in fluid flow communication with the interior of the container 10, whereby fluid may flow from the interior of the container 10 into the interior 21 of the neck 16. The intermediate portion 18 of the neck 16 is provided with a dispensing orifice 22 whereby fluid may be dispensed from the interior of the container 10.

The exterior surface of the base 17 of the neck 16 is provided with a circular recess or groove 23 at the juncture of the skirt portion 14 with the neck 16 and with an outwardly extending circular bead portion 24, the bead portion 24 being above the recess or groove 23 and defining an abutment on the upper portion of base 17 for retaining a cap in a closed position, as hereinafter described. Similarly, the exterior surface of the top 19 of the neck 16 is provided with a circular recess or groove 25 and with an outwardly extending circular bead portion 26, the bead portion 26 being 5 above the recess or groove 25 and defining an abutment on the upper portion of top 19 to prevent complete removal of a cap, as hereinafter described.

The exterior surface of the intermediate portion 18 is outwardly flared at both the top and bottom thereof whereby the transition from the narrower intermediate portion 18 to the thickened top and bottom portions 19 and 17, respectively, is defined by unobstructed curved surfaces 31 and 32, respectively, the curvature of surfaces 31 and 32 being selected to provide substantially continuous surfaces with portions of a cap for the container in open and closed positions, respectively, as hereinafter more fully described. The exterior of the top portion 19 of neck 16 is further provided with a pair of diametrically spaced diagonally extending recesses or grooves 20, which form a part of the guide "assembly for moving the cap between open and closed positions, as hereinafter described.

, The interior surface of the neck 16 is substantially cylindrical throughout the length thereof with the cross-section of the interior 21 of the neck 16 gradually increasing from the top to bottom thereof in order to facilitate sealing with the cap of the container. It is understood, however, that the interior 21 of the neck may have a constant cross-section or a cross-section which decreases from top to bottom. The top portion 19 of neck 16 has chamfered interior and exterior surfaces 35 and 36, respectively, to facilitate placement of a cap thereover, as hereinafter described.

The neck portion 16 is provided with a substantially cylindrical cap 51 having a closed top 52 and open bottom, with the outer periphery of the cap 51 being defined by a substantially cylindrically shaped outer wall 53 which decreases in thickness from top to bottom and terminates in an inwardly extending circular lip 54 at the open bottom of the cap. The length of the outer wall 53 of the cap 51 is substantially equal to the length of the neck 16, whereby in the closed position (FIG. 1), the cap 51 substantially encompasses the neck 16. The cross-section of the interior of the cap 51 increases from top to bottom, whereby the inner surface of the wall 53 has a frustoconical shape. A substantially cylindrically shaped hollow plunger 55 having an open bottom extends downwardly from the closed top 52 of the cap 51 concentric with and extending a distance beyond the outer wall 53; the outer wall 53 and plunger 55 defining an annular chamber 56. The

wall of the plunger 55 preferably decreases in thickness from top to bottom, as shown, to enhance the resiliency thereof, but it is to be understood that a solid plunger may also be employed. The bottom of the plunger 55 is provided with a longitudinally extending cut-out portion or recess 61, having interior edges 62 and 63, which are employed to shear or wipe material from the exterior of neck 16 about the orifice 22 in moving the cap from an open to closed position, as hereinafter described. The length and positioning of the cut-out portion 61 on plunger 55 is such that in the cap openposition (FIG. 2), the cut-out portion overlies the orifice 22, whereby material is dispensed from the container 10 through cut-out portion 61 of plunger 55 and the orifice 22 in neck 16, and in the cap closed-position (FIG. 1), the cut-out portion is positioned within the container 10 thereby preventing material from being dispensed from the container.

The outer surface of plunger 55 is further provided with a downwardly depending outwardly extending narrow resilient skirt 201 which extends continuously around the plunger 55, with the upper end of skirt 201 being integral with the plunger 55 and the lower end thereof being outwardly spaced from the plunger 55. The skirt 201 is capable of being elastically compressed, and under compression, the skirt 201 is outwardly biased, whereby insertion of the plunger 55 into the container neck results in a positive seal between the skirt 201 and the interior of the neck.

The exterior surface of the plunger 55 of the cap 51 is further provided with a resilient circular bead portion 202 positioned thereon above the skirt 201. The circular bead portion 202 provides additional sealing as a result of the elastic compression thereof upon placing the plunger 55 into the container neck and also counterbalances the skirt 201, thereby maintaining the cap 51 in even balance. It is to be understood, however, that the bead portion 202 may be eliminated or replaced with a skirt identical to skirt 201. Similarly, the plunger 55 of cap 51 may contain two or more skirts to increase the sealing effectiveness. Alternatively, the skirt 201 may be eliminated, and the sealing provided with the resilient circular bead portion 202, with this structure being least preferred.

The exterior surface of outer wall 53 of cap 51 is provided with diametrically spaced projections or tongues 71 which extend in a generally diagonal direction throughout the length thereof. The upper portion of the sides 72 and 73 of projections 71 have concave and convex surfaces 74 and 75, respectively, to thereby provide curved guide surfaces for moving the cap 51 in a twist-pull or twist-push type of motion, with the concave surface 74 providing a lifting force for releasing the lip 54 of cap 51 from engagement with the recess 20 on neck 16. The top of side 73 at the narrow top of projections 71 further includes a substantially S-shaped surface 76, disposed in a generally horizontal direction for helping to lock the cap in a closed position, as hereinafter described.

The width of the lower portion 75 of the projections 71 is slightly less than the width of grooves 20 in neck 16, whereby in the open position, engagement of the sides 72 and 73 of the projections 71 with the grooves 20 limits'rotational movement of the cap 51. The width of the top portion of projections 71 is substantially narrower than the lower portion 75 thereof to permit, in the closed position, rotational movement of the projections 71 in groove 20 to a position in which the top surface 76 of side 73 is located beneath the bead portion 26 of the neck 16 at the groove 20; the portion 26 functioning as an abutment for surface 76 therely limiting upward movement of the cap 51; i.e., the cap 51 may not be moved upwardly without twisting thereof to a position in which the top surface 76 of the projections 71 is within the groove 20 and is thereby clear of upper bead portion 26 on neck 16.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, which illustrate the container and cap assembly in closed position, the plunger 55 of cap 51 extends into the interior 21 of neck 16 of container 10 with the skirt 201 and bead 202 thereon providing a sliding sealing engagement between the plunger 55 and the interior surface of neck 16, thereby effectively closing the open top of the neck 16. The inwardly extending lip 54 of the cap 51 is in engagement with the recess or groove 23 on the bottom portion 17 of the neck 16 to hold the cap 51 in a lower or closed position in which the plunger 55 of the cap 51 is positioned in the interior 21 of neck 16 covering orifice 22, whereby material may not be dispensed from the interior of the container through the orifice 22. The lower portion of the plunger 55 extends beyond the neck 16 into the container 10, thereby releasing the compressive force applied to the lower portion thereof by the neck 16, resulting in an outward expansion of the plunger 55 to enhance the sealing engagement with neck 16. The cap 51 and the neck 16 define a closed annular chamber 60 therebetween, thereby minimizing or preventing contact between material about the neck 16 and the surrounding air. In the closed position, the top surface 76 of the projections 71 is immediately below and in abutment with the top head portion 26 of the upper portion 19 of neck 16 thereby preventing direct upward movement of the cap 51.

The container 10 may be opened by twisting the cap 51 until the surface 74 of projections 71 is in engagement with the groove 20 thereby moving the top surface 76 of projections 71 from beneath the top bead portion 26 of neck 16 and then exerting a pulling action, whereby the projections 71 are moved upwardly in grooves 20 with the surface 74 of side 72 thereof being in sliding engagement with the interior surface of groove 20, thereby guiding the cap 51 twistingly up-, wardly. The curved surface 74 of projections 71, in engagement with the interior surface of the groove 20, provides a lifting action which facilely moves the lip 54 of cap 51 out of engagement with the recess 23 on the lower portion 17 of neck 16.

The cap 51 is guided twistingly upwardly in a predetermined path by movement of the projections 71 within grooves 20 until the lip 54 of cap 51 is engaged in recess 25 on the top portion 19 of neck 16, with further upward movement being limited by the bead portion 26, although the cap 51-may be completely removed from the neck 16 by the application of a strong upward force. In the open position, the outer surface of lip 54 of cap 51 and the curved surface 31 of intermediate portion 14 of neck 16 define an unobstructed substantially continuous curved surface, thereby minimizing the chances of material entering chamber 56 while moving the cap from the closed to open position. The cap 51 is retained in the open position by engagement of the lip 54 thereof in the recess 25, and in this open position, the cut-out portion 61 of the plunger 55 overlies orifice 22, whereby material may be dispensed from the container 10. The lower portion 75 of projections 71 are positioned within the grooves 20 on the neck 16, and engagement of the sides of the projections 71 therewith limits rotational movement of cap 51. The skirt 201 and bead 202 provide a sliding sealing engagement between the plunger 51 and the top of the interior surface of neck 16, thereby preventing material from being dispensed through the top of neck 16.

The cap 51 is closed by exerting a pushing force thereon, whereby the lip 54 of cap 51 is released from recess 25 in the top portion 19 of the neck 16, and the cap 51 is guided twistingly downwardly by movement of the projections 71 in grooves 20. The twistingly downward movement of the cap 51 causes the edge 63 of cut-out portion 61 on plunger 55 to move shearingly across the orifice 22, thereby wiping or cutting from the interior surface of neck 16 any material which may have been retained thereon.

The cap 51 is guided downwardly by the movement of projections 71 in grooves 20 until the lip 54 is positioned below the bead portion 24 in a manner such that the curved surface 32 on the intermediate portion 18 of neck 16 and the inner surface of lip 54 of cap 51 define an unobstructed substantially continuous curved surface which is the semi-closed position or until the lip 54 is engaged in recess 23 which is the closed or locked position. In the closed or semi-closed position, the cap 51 and the neck 16 define a closed annular chamber therebetween, thereby minimizing or preventing contact between material about the neck 16 and the surrounding air.

It is to be understood that numerous modifications and variations'of the construction of the container neck and cap are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, for example, the shape of the cap may be otherwise than as shown; ,e.g., the outer wall of the cap may be of constant thickness or increase in thickness from top 'to bottom although the design as shown is preferred. Similarly, the length of the plunger may be about equal to or shorter than the length of the neck of the container whereby the cap plunger does not extend into the neck in a closed position, as particularly shown. Alternatively, the thickness of the walls of the plunger may be substantially equal throughout the length thereof or increase from top to bottom, although the construction shown is generally preferred. As a further alternative, the plunger may not be provided with cut-out portion(s) and the orifice opened by moving the plunger above the orifice in the open position.

In another modification, the transition from the intermediate portion of the neck to the. bottom and top portions thereof may be defined other than by an unobstructed substantially continuous curved surface, provided the outer surface of the cap lip and the outer surface of the neck, in the open position, define a substantially continuous unobstructed surface to minimize the chances of material entering chamber 56. The outwardly curved surface as particularly shown, however, is the preferred construction.

In a further modification, the lower recess on the neck may be eliminated and the bead portion employed as the sole means for preventing further upward movement of the cap without the exertion of an upward force. The slightly increasing diameter of the base portion, from top to bottom thereof, maintains a sealing relationship between the cap lip and base portion upon movement of the cap below the bead. Similarly, the bead portion and recess on the neck could be eliminated in which case the locking of the cap in the closed position is effected by the combined locking action of the engagement of the cap lip with the increased diameter base portion and the action of the surface 76 of the projections 71 being positioned below and in abutment with the top bead portion 26 of neck 16.

As still another modification, both the bead portion and the resilient skirt may be eliminated from the plunger, whereby sealing is effected solely by engagement of the plunger with the interior of the neck.

A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings which is substantially identical to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5,

with like parts being designated by like prime numerals, except that the means for guiding the cap between open and closed positions has a male part on the neck and a female part on the cap.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the top portion 19 of neck 16 is provided with diametrically spaced pins or projections 211 which are received in diametrically spaced grooves 212 which extend in a generally diagonal direction throughout the length of the interior surface of outer wall 53' of cap 51 tothereby provide a guide to effect twistingly axial movement of the cap 51 along the neck 16'. The upper portion of the interior walls 203 and 204 have concave and convex surfaces 205 and 206, respectively, with the concave surface 205, in engagement with the pin 211 providing the lifting force for initially releasing the lip 54 of cap 51' from engagement with the recess 20 on neck 16', when the cap is in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 6. The opening and closing of the container is effected similarly to the opening and closing of the container described with reference to FIGS. l:5. The cap 51' is twisted until the pin 211 is in engagement with the interior side wall 203 of groove 212 and then a pulling action is exerted, whereby the cap 51' is moved upwardly with the pins 21 1 being in sliding engagement with the interior wall 203 of groove 212 to guide the cap 51' twistingly upwardly. The curved surface 205 of groove 212 in engagement with the pin 211 provides a lifting action which facilely moves the lip 54' of cap 51 out of engagement with the recess 23 on the lower portion 17' ofneck 16'.

The cap 51' is guided twistingly upwardly in a predetermined path by relative movement of the pins 211 inserted in grooves 212 until the lip 54' of cap 51 is engaged in the recess 25' on the top portion 19' of neck 16, as hereinabove described with reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5.

Similarly, the cap 51' is closed by exerting a pushing force thereon whereby the lip 54' of cap 51' is released from recess 25' in the top portion 19 of theneck 16', and the cap 51' is guided twistingly downward by relative movement of the pins 211 inserted in grooves 212, until the lip 54 is engaged by either the bead portion 24' or the recess 23', as hereinabove described with reference to the embodiment of FIGS. l-5.

Other modifications and variations of the invention should be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings contained herein. Thus, for example, the guide means for moving the cap between fully opened and fully closed positions may be designed and constructed in a manner other than as particularly shown, although the construction particularly illustrated is preferred. Similarly, other features may be incorporated into the guide means, such as for example, a safety locking feature to prevent opening of the cap.

As a further modification more or less than two guide assemblies, as particularly shown, may be employed on the cap and neck. Similarly, the cap plunger may be provided with more than one cut-out portion.

The cap and neck of the present invention is particularly advantageous in that contact between material and the surrounding atmosphere is minimized while the cap is in the closed position while simultaneously minimizing the chances of material entering the interior of the cap during repeated opening and closing thereof. In addition the cap and neck assembly are provided with specific structure which premits effective sealing without requiring unduly strict tolerance requirements.

Furthermore, the use of guide means for directing the cap in a predetermined path, in moving the cap between open and closed positions, eliminates problems encountered in effectively opening and closing of the container, in particular, opening of the container without releasing unwanted material from the container. Moreover, the use of a cut-out portion on the cap plunger, as hereinabove described, helps prevent material from accumulating around the orifice, thereby further minimizing the chances of any material entering the interior of the cap during repeated opening and closing thereof.

Various changes in the details, materials and arrangements of parts, which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a cap and neck assembly for dispensing material from a container, said neck being elongated and hollow and including a dispensing orifice for dispensing material from thehollow interior of the neck, an upper engaging means on the outer surface of the upper portion of the neck, a lower engaging means on the outer surface of the lower portion of the neck, said cap including an outer wall which surrounds the outer surface of the neck and a plunger which is positioned in the hollow interior of the neck in sliding sealing cooperation therewith, said cap being movable with respect to theneck to open and closed positions with the plunger thereof opening and closing said orifice, the lower portion of the outer wall of the cap including an inwardly extending lip, said lip being releasably engaged by the upper engaging means in the cap open position and releasably engaged by the lower engaging means in the cap closed position, a first guide means positioned on the neck, and a second guide means positioned on the cap, the first and second guide means cooperating with each other to release the lip from the lower engaging means and to guide movement of said cap between the upper and lower engaging means in a predetermined path, said second guide means being a male part which is a diagonally disposed projection on the interior surface of the outer wall of the cap and the first guide means being a female part which is a groove on the upper portion of the neck, said projection being slidably received in said groove whereby said projection is moved axially within the groove to thereby guide the cap in a twistingly axial path.

2. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the upper portion of the projection includes a concave surface, said concave surface being in engagement with said groove in moving the cap lip from engagement with the lower engaging means, movement of said cap with the concave surface of said projection in engagement with said groove, providing a lifting force for disengaging said lip from the lower engaging means in moving the cap to an open position.

3. The assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein the upper portion of the projection further includes a substantially Sishaped surface, said S-shaped surface abuting against an upper portion of the neck with the cap lip engaged by the lower engaging means, and said S- shaped surface being released from abuting engagement with said top portion when the concave surface of said projection is in engagement 'with said groove.

4. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the lower portion of the plunger includes a cut-out portion, said cut-out portion overlying the orifice when the cap is in an open position.

5. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein an outwardl'y extending resilient bead is provided on the outer surface of the plunger.

6. The assembly as defined in claim 1 and further including resilient means on the exterior surface of said plunger to provide a portion of the plunger with an enlarged diameter, said resilient means being positioned on the portion of the plunger within the neck to maintain sealing engagement with the interior of the neck.

7. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the plunger further includes at least one downwardly depending outwardly extending resilient skirt on the outer surface thereof, said skirt being positioned and compressed within the neck to maintain sealing engagement with the interior of the neck.

8. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein an upper portion of said elongated neck below the upper engaging means is outwardly curved and cooperates with the outer surface of the lip of said cap when engaged in the upper engaging means to providea substantially continuous surface.

9. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein a lower portion of the neck above the lower engaging means is outwardly curved and cooperates with the inner surface of the cap lip when engaged in the lower recess to provide a substantially continuous surface.

10. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the neck includes a base portion, an intermediate portion and a top portion the intermediate portion having a diameter which is less than the diameter of both the top portion and the base portion, the outer wall of the cap being spaced from the intermediate portion of the neck in the closed position to define a chamber therebetween.

11. The assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein the upper engaging means comprises a recess in the top portion of the neck.

12. The assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein the lower engaging means comprises a bead portion on the base portion of the neck.

13. The assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein the lower engaging means comprises a recess in the base portion of the neck.

' 14. The assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein the lower engaging means comprises a thickened bottom on said base portion.

. 15. In combination, a material dispensing container and a cap therefor, said container comprising a body having an elongated hollow neck, said neck including a base portion, a top portion and an intermediate portion, said base and top portion having a greater diameter than the intermediate portion, the intermediate portion having outwardly flared surfaces at the top and bottom thereof terminating in the top and base portions, respectively, said neck including a dispensing orifice whereby material can be dispensed from the interior of the container; said base portion including first engaging means and said top portion including a second engaging means; said cap comprising a closed top and an open bottom, an outer wall terminating in an inwardly extending lip at the open bottom of the cap and a plunger extending downwardly from the closed top of the cap, said cap being placed on the container with the plunger of the cap extending into the interior of the elongated neck in sliding sealing engagement therewith and the outer wall of the cap surrounding the exterior of said neck, a first guide means on the top portion of said neck; a second guide means on the interior surface of the outer wall of the cap, one of said first and second guide means being a female part and the other a male part, said male and female parts-being in axial sliding cooperation with each other to both release the lip from the lower engaging means and to guide movement of the cap axially along the neck of the container to open and close the dispensing orifice, whereby in the open position said plunger is in sliding sealing engagement with the interior of the neck above the dispensing orifice and the inwardly extending lipof the outer wallof the cap is engaged in the second engaging means and in the closed position the plunger of the cap is in sliding sealing engagement with the interior of the neck below the dispensing orifice, the inwardly extending lip of the outer wall of the cap is engaged in the first engaging means and the outer wall of the cap is spaced from the narrower intermediate portion of the neck defining a chamber therebetween.

16. The combination as defined in claim 15 wherein the first guide means is a groove and said second guide means is a diagonally disposed projection, said projection being movable within said groove to thereby guide the cap in a twistingly axial path.

17. The combination as defined in claim 16 wherein the upper portion of the projection includes a concave surface, said concave surface being in engagement with said. groove in moving the cap lip from engagement with the first engaging means, movement of said cap with the concave surface of said projection in engagement with said groove, providing a lifting force for disengaging said lip from the first engaging means in moving the cap to an open position.

18. The combination as defined in claim 17 wherein said concave surface is formed on the lower surface of said top portion of said projection, the upper surface of said top portion of said projection including a horizontally disposed substantially S-shaped surface, said S- shaped surface being below and in abutment with the top portion of the neck with the cap in closed position and being moved out of abutment with said top surface upon twisting of said cap to move the cap'from closed to open position.

19. The combination as defined in claim 15 wherein first guide means is a pin, said second guide means is a diagonally disposed groove, said pin being movable in said groove to thereby guide the cap in a twistingly axial path.

20. The combination as defined in claim 19 wherein the upper portion of the groove includes a concave surface, said concave surface being in engagement with said pin in moving said cap lip from engagement with the first engaging means, movement of said cap with the pin in engagement with the concave surface of said groove providing a lifting force for disengaging said lip from the first engaging means in moving the cap to an open position.

21. The combination as defined in claim 15 wherein the lower portion of the plunger includes a cut-out portion, said cut-out portion overlying the orifice when the cap is in an open position.

22. in combination, a cap and neck assembly for dispensing material from a container, said neck being elongated and hollow and including a dispensing orifice for dispensing material from the hollow interior of the neck, an upper engaging means on the outer surface of the upper portion of the neck, a lower engaging means on the outer surface of the lower portion of the neck,

said cap including an outer wall which surrounds the outer surface of the neck and a plunger which is positioned in the hollow interior of the neck in sliding sealing cooperation therewith, said cap being movable with respect to the neck to open and closed positions with the plunger thereof opening and closing said orifice, the lower portion of the outer wall of the cap including an inwardly extending lip, said lip being releasably engaged by the upper engaging means in the cap open position and releasably engaged by the lower engaging means in the cap closed position, a first guide means positioned on the neck, and a second guide means positioned on the cap, the first and second guide means cooperating with each other to release the lip from the lower engaging means and to guide movement of said cap between the upper and lower engaging means in a predetermined path, said first guide means being a pin on the upper portion of the neck, and said second guide means being adiagonally disposed groove on the interior surface of the outer wall of the cap, said pin being slidingly received in said groove whereby the pin is moved axially within the groove to thereby guide the cap in a twistingly axial path, said upper portion of the groove including a concave surface which is in engagement with said pin in moving said cap lip from engagement with the lower engaging means, movement of said cap with the pin in engagement with said surface of said groove providing a lifting force for disengaging said lip from the lower engaging means in moving the cap to an open position. 

1. In combination, a cap and neck assembly for dispensing material from a container, said neck being elongated and hollow and including a dispensing orifice for dispensing material from the hollow interior of the neck, an upper engaging means on the outer surface of the upper portion of the neck, a lower engaging means on the outer surface of the lower portion of the neck, said cap including an outer wall which surrounds the outer surface of the neck and a plunger which is positioned in the hollow interior of the neck in sliding sealing cooperation therewith, said cap being movable with respect to the neck to open and closed positions with the plunger thereof opening and closing said orifice, the lower portion of the outer wall of the cap including an inwardly extending lip, said lip being releasably engaged by the upper engaging means in the cap open position and releasably engaged by the lower engaging means in the cap closed position, a first guide means positioned on the neck, and a second guide means positioned on the cap, the first and second guide means cooperating with each other to release the lip from the lower engaging means and to guide movement of said cap between the upper and lower engaging means in a predetermined path, said second guide means being a male part which is a diagonally disposed projection on the interior surface of the outer wall of the cap and the first guide means being a female part which is a groove on the upper portion of the neck, said projection being slidably received in said groove whereby said projection is moved axially within the groove to thereby guide the cap in a twistingly axial path.
 2. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the upper portion of the projection includes a concave surface, said Concave surface being in engagement with said groove in moving the cap lip from engagement with the lower engaging means, movement of said cap with the concave surface of said projection in engagement with said groove, providing a lifting force for disengaging said lip from the lower engaging means in moving the cap to an open position.
 3. The assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein the upper portion of the projection further includes a substantially S-shaped surface, said S-shaped surface abuting against an upper portion of the neck with the cap lip engaged by the lower engaging means, and said S-shaped surface being released from abuting engagement with said top portion when the concave surface of said projection is in engagement with said groove.
 4. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the lower portion of the plunger includes a cut-out portion, said cut-out portion overlying the orifice when the cap is in an open position.
 5. The assembly defined in claim 1 wherein an outwardly extending resilient bead is provided on the outer surface of the plunger.
 6. The assembly as defined in claim 1 and further including resilient means on the exterior surface of said plunger to provide a portion of the plunger with an enlarged diameter, said resilient means being positioned on the portion of the plunger within the neck to maintain sealing engagement with the interior of the neck.
 7. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the plunger further includes at least one downwardly depending outwardly extending resilient skirt on the outer surface thereof, said skirt being positioned and compressed within the neck to maintain sealing engagement with the interior of the neck.
 8. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein an upper portion of said elongated neck below the upper engaging means is outwardly curved and cooperates with the outer surface of the lip of said cap when engaged in the upper engaging means to provide a substantially continuous surface.
 9. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein a lower portion of the neck above the lower engaging means is outwardly curved and cooperates with the inner surface of the cap lip when engaged in the lower recess to provide a substantially continuous surface.
 10. The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the neck includes a base portion, an intermediate portion and a top portion the intermediate portion having a diameter which is less than the diameter of both the top portion and the base portion, the outer wall of the cap being spaced from the intermediate portion of the neck in the closed position to define a chamber therebetween.
 11. The assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein the upper engaging means comprises a recess in the top portion of the neck.
 12. The assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein the lower engaging means comprises a bead portion on the base portion of the neck.
 13. The assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein the lower engaging means comprises a recess in the base portion of the neck.
 14. The assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein the lower engaging means comprises a thickened bottom on said base portion.
 15. In combination, a material dispensing container and a cap therefor, said container comprising a body having an elongated hollow neck, said neck including a base portion, a top portion and an intermediate portion, said base and top portion having a greater diameter than the intermediate portion, the intermediate portion having outwardly flared surfaces at the top and bottom thereof terminating in the top and base portions, respectively, said neck including a dispensing orifice whereby material can be dispensed from the interior of the container; said base portion including first engaging means and said top portion including a second engaging means; said cap comprising a closed top and an open bottom, an outer wall terminating in an inwardly extending lip at the open bottom of the cap and a plunger extending downwardly from the closed top of the cap, said cap beiNg placed on the container with the plunger of the cap extending into the interior of the elongated neck in sliding sealing engagement therewith and the outer wall of the cap surrounding the exterior of said neck, a first guide means on the top portion of said neck; a second guide means on the interior surface of the outer wall of the cap, one of said first and second guide means being a female part and the other a male part, said male and female parts being in axial sliding cooperation with each other to both release the lip from the lower engaging means and to guide movement of the cap axially along the neck of the container to open and close the dispensing orifice, whereby in the open position said plunger is in sliding sealing engagement with the interior of the neck above the dispensing orifice and the inwardly extending lip of the outer wall of the cap is engaged in the second engaging means and in the closed position the plunger of the cap is in sliding sealing engagement with the interior of the neck below the dispensing orifice, the inwardly extending lip of the outer wall of the cap is engaged in the first engaging means and the outer wall of the cap is spaced from the narrower intermediate portion of the neck defining a chamber therebetween.
 16. The combination as defined in claim 15 wherein the first guide means is a groove and said second guide means is a diagonally disposed projection, said projection being movable within said groove to thereby guide the cap in a twistingly axial path.
 17. The combination as defined in claim 16 wherein the upper portion of the projection includes a concave surface, said concave surface being in engagement with said groove in moving the cap lip from engagement with the first engaging means, movement of said cap with the concave surface of said projection in engagement with said groove, providing a lifting force for disengaging said lip from the first engaging means in moving the cap to an open position.
 18. The combination as defined in claim 17 wherein said concave surface is formed on the lower surface of said top portion of said projection, the upper surface of said top portion of said projection including a horizontally disposed substantially S-shaped surface, said S-shaped surface being below and in abutment with the top portion of the neck with the cap in closed position and being moved out of abutment with said top surface upon twisting of said cap to move the cap from closed to open position.
 19. The combination as defined in claim 15 wherein first guide means is a pin, said second guide means is a diagonally disposed groove, said pin being movable in said groove to thereby guide the cap in a twistingly axial path.
 20. The combination as defined in claim 19 wherein the upper portion of the groove includes a concave surface, said concave surface being in engagement with said pin in moving said cap lip from engagement with the first engaging means, movement of said cap with the pin in engagement with the concave surface of said groove providing a lifting force for disengaging said lip from the first engaging means in moving the cap to an open position.
 21. The combination as defined in claim 15 wherein the lower portion of the plunger includes a cut-out portion, said cut-out portion overlying the orifice when the cap is in an open position.
 22. In combination, a cap and neck assembly for dispensing material from a container, said neck being elongated and hollow and including a dispensing orifice for dispensing material from the hollow interior of the neck, an upper engaging means on the outer surface of the upper portion of the neck, a lower engaging means on the outer surface of the lower portion of the neck, said cap including an outer wall which surrounds the outer surface of the neck and a plunger which is positioned in the hollow interior of the neck in sliding sealing cooperation therewith, said cap being movable with respect to the neck to open and closed positions with the plunger thereof opening And closing said orifice, the lower portion of the outer wall of the cap including an inwardly extending lip, said lip being releasably engaged by the upper engaging means in the cap open position and releasably engaged by the lower engaging means in the cap closed position, a first guide means positioned on the neck, and a second guide means positioned on the cap, the first and second guide means cooperating with each other to release the lip from the lower engaging means and to guide movement of said cap between the upper and lower engaging means in a predetermined path, said first guide means being a pin on the upper portion of the neck, and said second guide means being a diagonally disposed groove on the interior surface of the outer wall of the cap, said pin being slidingly received in said groove whereby the pin is moved axially within the groove to thereby guide the cap in a twistingly axial path, said upper portion of the groove including a concave surface which is in engagement with said pin in moving said cap lip from engagement with the lower engaging means, movement of said cap with the pin in engagement with said surface of said groove providing a lifting force for disengaging said lip from the lower engaging means in moving the cap to an open position. 